Apparatus for sealing containers



'Sgm 1s; 1942. w. D. BELL `2,296,013

APPARATUS FOR 'SEALING CONTAINERS Filed sept. 2o, 14o

v Sheets-Sheet l v sep1.15,1942. w, D.- BELL 2,296,013

v APPARATUS FOR SEALING CONTANERSv Filed Sept. 2o, 1940 4 sheets-s118912 www 1 v INVENTOR v\' william 1115".A

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, A'rToRNEYs sept. 15, 1942. w.'p. BELL 2,296,013

APPARATUS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS, V

Filed Sept. 20, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INvNToR 7 William D. Bell;

. .ATTORNEYS 4 Sheets-Sheet 44 Sepk.` l5, `1942.

|NvENToR William D. Bell.

-slightly thereabove:

' Batented Sept. 15, 11942 uNrnszD STATES-PATENT OFFICE William D. Bell, Colli mbus, Ohio, assignor to Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation, Lancaster,

Ohio, a corporation o! Delaware Application September 20, 1940, Serial No. 357.586A 26 Claims.\ (Cl. 226-82) My invention relates to apparatus" foi-(sealing containers. It has to do; more particularly, with apparatus for producingoa partial vacuum in the upper ends of the containers at the same time that closures are sealed onto thecontainers.

his application is a continuation in partof my copending application, Serial No. 325,393,

- filed March 22, 41940, and directed to method and apparatus for sealing cont iners, which issued as Patent No.2,2i i4,631 on Ju 4e 2, 1942. l

vIn said .application Serial No. 325,393 I describe a method for sealing containers consisting of three main steps, namely, 1) injecting a suitable combustible gas vinto the-head space of a container, beneath and around a cap spaced (2) igniting the combustible gas and (3) sealing the cap on the container'V substantially as combustion is completed.

The present invention relates to an improved .machine for performing such method.

One of the objects of my invention is t'o prof vide a very simple apparatus for performing automatically the method outlined above.

AAnother object of' my invention is to' provide apparatus of the type indicated which will be self-contained and which will partially vacuumposition.

ize and seal the containers without the juse ofV auxiliary apparatus such as boilers. vacuum pumps and the like.

Another object of my invention is to provide an apparatus of the type indicated wherein the seal- A ing mechanism for forcing the cap into position on the container is also actuated by combustible Vgas so that the apparatus will be greatly simplied as compared to prior art apparatus.

Another obiect of my invention is to provide an apparatus of the type indicated which may be operated very economically.

Another-object of my inventioneis to pbrovidev apparatus which will be. relatively simple and light in weight as compared 'to prior art ma Y chines but which will be sturdy and easier and cheaper to keep in repair.

K .Another object of my invention is to provide a.

{machine which will partially vacuumize and seal `containers fed thereto at random and which has 'simple andeiective meansfor positioning the cap in cooperative relationship with the container as it reaches sealing position.

In its preferred form, my invention contemfplates the provisin of an apparatus embodying a sealing 'mechanism comprising a reciprocable sealing'head which is disposed in spaced relation to a. support for a cotairier which may be 'a conthe internal ccombustion unit.

ing head andabove the container. The sealing head is adapted to be forced downwardly to force the cap into' position on the container and is actuated by means of an internal combustion cylinder and piston unit. Means isv associated with the sealing head for introducing combustible gas into the head space of the container beneath and around the 'closure held by` the sealing head in spaced relationship to the container. Means is also provided for' supplying a combustible gas to The means for supplying the gas to the head space of the container and into the internal combustion unit are both operated merely by positioning of the container in sealing position on the support beneath the sealing head.' Means is also provided for igniting` the gas in said unit and in association with the head space of the container substantially simultaneously to eiect the vacuumizing and sealing operations and this means is also actuthe container in sealingy ated by positioning of ating means of the sealing head shown partly".

broken away. l

Figure 5 is afdetail in vertical section showing the electrical connections which actuate .thegas pump and the various ignition means.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional vier/@showing the initial stage of releasing a closure-from the closure magazine.

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view of the same c'ap feed howing the cap immediately after release and e manner of upholding the remaining caps. l

Figure 8 isa vertical sectional view taken on line 8 8 of Figure 3.

With reference to the-drawings, I have illus-- trated an automatically operated capping machine of a type in which my invention has been embodied.

Vfveyer. This sealing head has means associated The machine illustrated comprises a base I,

liaving standards 2, which are adapted to support a platform 3. This platform 3 has formed on its lower surface a channel 4 which cooper-- ates with the sealing unit proper in forming a combustion chamber for vacuum sealing. Se

cured to the upper surface of the platform 3 by the bolts 5 is the sealing unit which may be designated by the numeral 6. Also supported on the upper surface of the platform-3 and'to one side thereof and in proximity thereto is a cap chute which may be generally designated as 1.

The sealing unit 6 is rectangular inhorizontal cross section althoughits shape may be varied.

diametricallylopposed lugs I 8 having sockets to hold -a pin II. This pin has pivotally mounted thereon two upwardly extending sealing head struts I2. The other ends of these struts are pivotally connected to a driving rod I3'. The directhe cap feed tracks 26. This construction may A be clearly understood from an examination of Figures 2 and 8.

The closure holding means and its associated delivery mechanism will now be described. Bolted to the upper surface of platform 3 by means of bolts 21 is the cap holdr or magazine generally designated as 1 The cap holder '1 takes he form of a base 29 supporting intgerally therew th and in a slightly inclined position a semi-cylindrical member which is adapted to hold a stack of capslthat can be readily laid therein. At its bottom, a small portion of this cap holder is completely cylindrical as at 38. is construction is clearly 'shown in Figures 1 an 3. Since the whole lstack of caps is maintained in an inclined position, it will be seen in Figure 3 that the Weight of this stack will rest l-argely on two edges of the lowermost cap. Thus, the rear edge 3l ofthe lowermost cap rests on a depressed surface 32 of platform 3 having formed therein a slot 32a which is formed substantially throughout the tion of travel of this rod I3 is in a direction at right angles to the direction of travel of the sealing head piston." The part of the rod I3 towhich the upper ends of the struts I2 are pivoted is square as at I4. The ends of these struts I2 are .each respectively pivoted to a side of this square portion I4 of the rod I3, as at I5. The rod I3 has a portion of its upper surface flattened as at I6 so as to enable ysaid rod to bear against the roller bmring I1 during its stroke. This flattened surface |6'is of a length equivalent to the length of such depressed surface. 'I'his depressed surface 32extends from the bottom of the cap holder 1 to the cap sealing head. The forward end of 'the depressed surface 32 which is adjacent to the sealing head supportslthe tracks 26 which formcontlnuations thereof. The forward edge 34 oi' the lowermost cap rests on the lower sur- 'face 35 of a notch 36 formed in a disc 31'. It will be seen that the notch 36nand the disc 31 are so located andl of such form that when the disc`31 is oscillated it will have an escapement length of stroke of the piston rod I3. The roller bearingy I1 is disposed in juxtaposition tothe path of travel of the rod I3; Bearing I1 is vrotatably retained on a'shaft I8 which has its opposite en'ds rigidly positioned in the walls of the sealing unit -as at I9. 'I'he roller bearing I1 is maintained in its operative position by means of two sleeves 2liv disposed on either side thereof. It will be readily seen from this description that when the driving rod I3 is driven to the position in Figure 1, its bearing surface will bear against the rollen-bearing I1, and, being constrained against upward \movement'thereby', will driye the sealing head 9 downwardly through the medium of the struts I2. Connected to the upper edge of the sealing head `9 at two diametrically opposed points-are 4upon the surface 35 'release of the lowermost cap,

like action, or in other words, the u-pper surface or claw like `ixnember 38 of notch 36I in the disc 31 will separate the lowermost canfrom the stack l and positively force it downwardly and allow it.to drop into the longitudinal depressed surface 32. While the lowermost cap is being forced downwardly by the claw like member, the surface 39 of the disc 31 will support the stack of caps as shown in Figures 6 and 7. Upon the the disc 31 is rotated in thenopposite direction until the forward edge 34 of the cap which is' now lowermost-rests of the notch '36 and the cap which is now lowermost is now in a position ready for release from the cap holder 1.

Thedisc 31 is mounted fort its escapement lik motion on one end of a shaft-49. On the other end of the shaft 48, is rigidly mounted an arm 4'I which extends upwardly. This arm 4I has a pin two springs '9a. Each of these springs 9a has its 1 other end connected in a suitable manner to one of thesleeves 20 o the shaft I8. The purpose of these springs is` .return the sealing head to its ,uppermost position and consequently to alsoreturn the piston'5ll to its firing position. y

The sealing head piston 9 in its descent is adapted tol engage the top of a closure C and press it into sealing relation with the top of a receptacle R. The nal sealing of the cap on the receptacle is" effected when the sealing head' attained its lowermost position. Closure C, prior to its contact by the sealing head, is maintained in position preparatory to sealingby the horizontally extending hinges 22. These hinges are pivoted on pins 23 andare retained in horizontal closure receiving position `,by torsion springs 24 which have a resistance sufficiently great to enable the hinges 22 to support a closure. The pins 23 which support. the hinges .proper 22 are and yoke connection 42 with the downwardly extending arm 43. The other end of the arm 43.,-

themselves supported by the hinge tab 25 which is adapted to be suitably fastened to the machine.

' .'rhe closures c arf/sua onto the hinges 22 from rigidly fastened to one end of the driving rod I3. It is understood, that when the rod I3 is driven to the left in Figure -3, it causes the arm 43 to rotate the disc 31 a certain-'number of degrees through the medium of. its supporting shaftA and associated arm 4I.

When a cap is dropped into the depression 32 it is in front of a pawl 44. Pawl 44 is carried by 'crossmember 44a whose ends are connected to links 45. When suitably .actuated said pawl 44 is adaptedto draw the cap from its position beneath the cap magazine onto the cap holding hinges 22. The mechanism accomplishing this result will now be described in detail. The ends of the links y45 opposite to those at which the cross member 44a is attached are connected to the lower ends o'f levers 46. The upper ends of levers 46 are rigidiy attached .as at 41 to a horizontal shaft 48, said shaft 48 being rotatably mounted in the walls of the sealing unit 6. The levers 46 are attached to the rotatable shaft 48 4cap on the Jar will now i 49 is disposed a spark' plug 52 asin a com jenables the air" admitted In the center of the shaft 4l is rigidly attached 5 a downwardly extending: whose lower end extends trigger or finger a into a notch 48h in -the rod I3. This trigger is so constructed that when the rod I3 is driven 'forward the shaft Il. n thereby actuate the pawl is caused to rotate and 44 through the medium of its associated mech-J anism. When the rod Il has moved far enough to the right in its return stroke, the trigger a reaches a position where its downward swinging as it formerly was by the surface of the rod I3.

action will not be prohibited,

Thus. when the trigger reaches this position, the torsion spring 48o rotates `the shaft 48 and forces the trigger into notch nb. It will be seen that the spring 48o rotating the shaft Il and anism will deliver the closure VThe means for driving the rod I3 which causes a cap to be delivered to sealing 'position and which causes the sealing head to descend and seal the ing rod I3 driven by an ordinarytype of'piston ustion engine. The cylinder itself may be designated bythe numeral I! and it has operatively disposed therein a piston 5I. The piston 50 is vconnected to the nary means as at 5| In the head of the. cylinder for ignition of the gas which may be admitted through the port 53. The gas port 53 is connected-through a gas line 62 to a suitable gas `pump to be hereinafterde- 35 scribed. At the end' of the cylinder wherefthe forward stroke o f the piston 5l terminates is located a port 54. In the upper inside surface ofl the cylinder Il is locatedl a channel 54h which when the piston is infiringpositio'n to be passed from behind the piston 50 when said piston has Y completed its stroke toV the left into the space before the piston preparatory to compression.,

The piston itself has on its explosionl surface a. 45

baille 55. It will be seen that this baille 55 will cause the air coming through therchannel 54h to be more or less deflected and spread. into the i explosion'or combustion chamber for a more uniand gas, of course, being subject toslight compression preparatory to combustion by the returning stroke of the rpisto'n. Mounted on the rod I3 in front of the piston is a spring 56 which is for the purpose of initiating the return stroke 55 of the piston.- The relation of the piston to the air port at the limit of its forward stroke may be seen in dotted lines in lFigure 3. The entrance of the gas and the ignition thereof are controlled by suitable timing mechanism which'- hereinafter more fully described.

One of the sealing unitiwalls which is parallel to the direction of travel of the receptacle is extended downwardly to form the extended wall Ga means for causingI the means for igniting In vFigure 5 is shown the the gas to be injected and said gas. When the receptaclein the course of' its associated mech- "20 to the sealing head.

' bottom of the solenoid core 6I. be described. The dr'iv 25 through the port v54 40 withv a yielding portion 82a to absorb any shock form mixture of the' air with the gas, said air 50 win be@ 'this sealing( operation, however,

its travel along the conveyer contacts the microswitch 59 it 'causes the solenoid to be energized, thus drawing the core 5l of said solenoid downwardly thereby causing the pumps' 5I to inject gas through their gas lines 52 and associated .check valves 62a into, the combustion cylinder ll and also into the combustion sealing zone. To'eifect this operation, the core Il has mounted .-on its upper. extremity a cross beam Il. The

cross beam I4 has on each of its ends a rod 55 on which is mounted a plunger for each pump il. vWhen the solenoid core is drawn down, vas .a result of energization of1 the solenoid, the Dumps' are caused tov deliver gas through the gas lines 62 aspreviouslyl mentioned. Downward movement of the pump pistons vrst Vcloses od .the inlet ports 5l, which are connected by means of the gas lines 68 to any suitable gas reservoir. The return strokeif the pump is effected through the medium of the spring at the Rigidlymxed to the bottom of said core is a rod 55. When the core'raches its lowermost position, the bottom of the'rod Il actuates the switch 'Il which Sends current through the transformer Il to the spark` plugs 52 and 51, thus igniting the gas both in the. rod Il by any ordi- 30 combustion cylinder 4s sealingzone.

As shown in Figure l, the containers axfesuc-v cessively presented to the sealing head by an endless conveyer whichv is mounted on a table Il and which is preferably vformed by spaced T parallel chains BI, running in grooves 82, whichl project slightly above the table, and upon which the receptacles are transported to and beyond the sealing head. `Preferably the table I5 is provided `-immediately beneath the sealing head and in the combustion 'resulting from the sealing action and to permit the chains -to assume a position beneath or levelV with the top of the table `during sealing, so that each "receptacle will pause during vsealing and Y' i then move on as the'sealing head'is lifted.

' In the opedatlon .of my preferred-form of apparatus, the'isreceptacles are delivered successively to the sealing unit by the conveyer. They may approach the sealing unit at regular intervals orV they may approach it at random.

Simultaneously, the closures are successively separated from the stack and delivered automatically to the spring supporting iiapswhich are disposed immediately beneath the scaling head. As each receptacle reaches vposition beneath the sealing head and beneath thel cap which is supported on-the spring flap, the receptacle actuates the micro-switch to bring about sealing ofthe receptacle. Preliminary to and about the time 'the receptacle reaches position 'beneath `the closure which it is to receive, the com'- bustible. mixture is automatically introduced in which the spark the vacuumizing process are disposed. Escape I ting means are also controlled by suitable mechplug 51 and gas port 5l for 65 into the head-space and the space thereabove soA that it surrounds the mouth-ofl the receptacle and: surrounds the closure, particularly the underside thereof. The actuation of the microswitch by .'the arriving receptacle causes the pumps to deliver gas to the head-space'and-to the Apower cylinder, and this in turn brings about the ignitionof the two charges, one inland about the head-space of `the container andthe other in the power cylinder. The combustible mix- .ture in an'd above the head-space of the re`" oi the mixture of air and gas because of a draft is not possible due to the rapidity of ignition of the mixture and prompt sealing of the closure on 'the container. The ignition spark plug is desig- 7o nated by thepumerai 5l' andthe gas port by the numeral 58. This ignition means and gas admitanism which will be hereinafter more fully cle-i.A scribed.

livered onto the spring .ing position. operated by a combustible gas which greatly "simplifies the machine as compared to prior.

ceptacle expands rapidly as a result of ignition and at'about the instant vof completion of .this expansion, the sealing head, under the impetus of the exploding mixture in the chamber 49 moves downwardly and forces,the closure. past ythe spring flap and onto the receptacle so that the products of combustion in and above the head-space of the 4receptacle are entrapped. During the upward movement of the sealing head, the pumps are actuated to supply the combustible mixture to the head-space and thereabove and to the chamber 49, preparatory for the next sealing operation. In the meantime, a new ca has been automatically deflap and is positioned in readiness for sealing onto the receptacle which .is next to arrive.

',It will be apparent from the above descrip- .tion that I have provided a very simple apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing cbntainers by injecting a combustible gas beneath a cap held in spaced relationship to a container, igniting the mixture so produced, permitting the burning gases to expand and sealing the 'container when `the expansion is substantially completed. I provide extremely simple means for positioning the cap relative to the container so that it may be forced downwardly into seal- The sealing mechanism is also taneously igniting the mixture inthe 'head- Space of the container and igniting the mixture in the internal combustion engine for causing `the reciprocable sealing head to move downwardly to effect sealing of the closure on the container. 4

4. Apparatus for sealing containers having material therein which comprises a vertically reciprocable sealing head, a substantially horizontally movable piston, a cylinder therefor, an intermediate strut connected between said piston and said sealing head to eil'ect downwardI movement of the sealing head, means for introducing a series of closures successively and automatia closure on the container,'means for delivering a combustible gas to the head-space oi the container 'and to the sealing means so that it will mix with the air therein to form a combustible mixture, and means for igniting the mixture at the sealing means and at the headspace substantially simultaneously.

2. Apparatus for sealing containers having material therein which comprises means actuated bya combustible mixture forsealing a closure on the container, means for delivering `a. combustible gas to the head-space of the container and to the A'sealing means so that it will mix with the air therein to form a combustible mixture, means `for automatically and successively conducting said containersto position beand means4 form neaththe said sealing means, simultaneously igniting themixture inthe headspace of the container and for igniting the mixture for operating the sealing means substantially simultaneously. v

`3. Apparatus for sealing containers having `material thereinv which comprises a reciprocable sealing head, an internal combustion engine for moving said recprocable sealing' hea'd downwardly, means for deliveringa combustible gas to the head-space of the container andto the internal combustion engine so that it will mix with the airvtherein'to form a combustible mix--A ture, means for automatically and successively conducting said containers to position beneath the said sealing means. and means for simulcally to a position'beneath the sealing head, means for conveying a series of containers having material therein continuously'and successively to position beneath said sealing head,A means for introducing a combustible gas into the head-space above the material in the container so that it will mixwith theair therein to form acombustible mixture, means for introducing a combustible gas into said cylinder so that it will mix with the air therein to form a combustible mixture and means for igniting the combustible mixture in the head-space and in the said cylinder substantially simultaneously to efiectignition of the mixture in the head-space and immediate sealing of the closure on the container. f f

5. Apparatus for sealing open mouth containers comprising means for associating a container and a closure in cooperative relationship with the closure spaced from the mouth oi' the container, a unit actuated by a combustible mixture for moving said container and closure relative to each other to seal the closure on the container, means for charging vthe air within vand about the open mouth of the container with `tible mixture within and about the mouth of the container and in said -unit substantially simultaneously.

6. Apparatus for sealing open lmouth containers comprising a support for 'acontainen a sealing head associated with said support, means associated with said sealing head for`holding a closure member in spaced relationship to the mouth of the container, means for supplying a combustiblel gas beneath the closure member in association with the mouth of the container so that it will mix with the adjacent air to form a combustible mixture, a unit actuated by a combustible mixture. for moving s aid' container and sealing head relative to each other to seal' the closure on the container, means for supplying a i combustible gas to said unit, and means actuated upon positioning ,of the container in'sealing positidn on saidv support for igniting the `combustible mixture beneath the closure member and the combustible mixture in said unit vsubstantially simultaneously. A

'7. Apparatus for sealingt open mouth jcontainers comprising a' support for a containerua j sealing head associated with said support, means associatedwith said sealing head for holding i a closure member in spacedrelationship to the mouth of the container, means for supplying a l combustible gas'beneath the closure member in association with the ,mouthv of the container so tha@ it will iX with the' adJacent aii' 'to form a combustible mixture, a. unit actuated by a.'

,ofi the container so that it will mix a cap-feeding unit is combustible for moving said'container and sealing -head relative to each other to seal the closure -on the container, means for supplying a combustible gas to said unit, means for igniting the combustible mixture beneath `the closure member, means for -igniting the combustible mixture in saidunit, and control means actuated by positioning of the container in sealing position on said support for simultaneouslyactuating both of said means for supplying coinbustible gas and thensimultaneously actuating both of said igniting means.

8. Apparatus for sealing open mouth containers comprising a conveyer' for supporting -the containers, a. sealing head spaced above the container and sealing head relative to each other to -seal the closure on the container, and means sealing head veyer. means associated with said sealingv head for holding a closure member in spaced relationship to the' mouth of the container, means 'for supplying a combustible gas beneath the closuremember in association with the mouth with the adjacent air to form a combustible mixture, a

runit actuated by a combustible mixture for moving said container and sealing head relative tov each other to seal the closure on the container,

u means for supplyinga combustibiegas to said unit, means for igniting the combustible vmixyture beneath the closure member, means for vigniting the combustible mixture in said unit, and control means actuated by movement oi. the container by said conveyer into a position bej neath said sealing head for simultaneously actuating both ,of lsaidLmeans for Supplying combustible gas and then simultaneously actuating b oth of said igniting means. Y

9. IApparatus according to claim 8 wherein the control, means 'includesa control member engaged' by the container moved into sealing position.

10. Apparatus, according to claim 7 wherein n Y said means for-supplying the combustible gas beneath said closure member and to said unit embody pumps for charges, electric means for actuating said pumps,

said means for igniting the combustible mixture beneath then-closure member and in said unit embodying electric spark-forming means, said control means comprising an electric switch which controls a circuit to said operating means and said spark-forming means.

11. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein provided adjacent said electric pumpcontainers,

combustible mixture, a unit forinoving said conactuated upon positioning of the container in Y sealing position on. said support4 for vigniting the combustible mixture beneath the closure member and for operating vsaid unit substantially simultaneously.

-14 Apparatus for tainers comprising sealing Open mouth con a support for a container,

mouth of the ontainen combustible gas beneathl meansfor supplying a the closure'. member in association with the mouth of the container so' that it will mix with the adjacent air to form a. combustible mixture,a unit for moving'said container and sealing head relative to each other to seal the closure. on the container, and control means actuated by positioning of .thecontainer in position on said support for actuatingl said Ameans for'supplyin'g then actuating said igniting V 15. Apparatus for tainers comprising combustible gas and means.

sealing open mouth cona conveyenfor supporting-the' veyer, means associated with said sealing head ."each` otherto seal the closure for holding a closure member in spaced relationship to the mouth of thel container, means for supplyinga combustible gas beneath the'closure.

member in association with the mouth of the container.A so that it will mix with the adjacent air to form a combustible mixtur a unit for moving said container and sealing head relative to on the container, means forfigniting the combustible mixture beneath the closure member, and control means Supplying predetermined sealing headl for successively feeding caps into association with said sealing head, and means for operating said cap-feeding unit inv response to operation of saidtainer and. sealing headrelative toeach other. l 12. Apparatus according to `claim 8 wherein a cap-feeding unit is provided adjacent said sealing head for successively feeding caps ,intxo .position beneath said sealing head, said sealing head having yieldable means for lsupporting a cap beneath the sealing head, said sealing head being downwardly movable, and means for operating said cap-feeding unit in response to operation of said unit for-movingsaid sealing head.

unit yfor moving said'conf cap-feeding unit is 13. Apparatus for sealing open mouth containers comprising a support for a container, a sealing head associated with said support, means associated with said sealing -head for holding a closure member in spaced relationship. to the mouth of thecontainer, meansfor supplying aV combustible gas beneath the closure member in association Vwith the mouth lof'lthe container so that it will mix with the adjacent; air to form a neath said closure member embodies a pump for supplying a predetermined charge, electric means A for actuating said pump,

said means for igniting the combustible mixture beneath the closure member embodying electric spark-forming means, said control means comprising .an electric switch which controls a circuit to Said electric'pumpoperating means and Asaid spark-forming means. 18. Apparatus accordingto claim 15 wherein a head for successively feeding caps into association with said sealing head and means for operating said cap-feeding unit in responseto operation of said unit for moving said container and sealing head relative to each other.. v. i

19. Apparatus-according to claim 15 wherein a cap-feeding unit is provided adjacent said sealing head for successively feeding caps into position' beneath said sealing head, Vsaid sealing head having yieldable means for supporting a cap beneath the sealing head,` said sealing head being downwardly movable, and means for operating said cap-feeding unit in response unit for moving said sealing head.

20. Apparatus for sealing open' mouth containers, with closure members associated therewith associated with said support, means associated with said sealing head for holding aclosure member in spaced relationship to the,

a sealing head spaced above the conprovided adjacent said sealing to operation of said` comprising a support for a container, a sealing head associated with said support, a unit ac-l tuated by a combustible mixture for moving said container and sealing head relative to each other to seal the closure on the container, means for supplying a combustible gas to said unit, and

means actuated upon positioning of the containier in sealing position on said support for igniting said combustible gas.

21. Apparatus for sealing open mouth contain- 10 ers with closure members associated therewith\) comprising a support f or a container, a sealing head associated with said support, la unit actuated by a Ycombustible mixtureior moving said i t container and sealing head relative to each other 15 to seal the closure on the container, means for `supplying a combustible gas to said unit, meansv for igniting said combustible gas,v and control means actuated by positioning of the container in sealing position on said support for progressively actuating said means for supplying the combustible gas' and said igniting means.

22. Apparatus for sealing open mouth containersl comprising a conveyer for supporting Containers, a sealing head spaced above the-conveyer, mean associated with said sealing head `for holding a closure member in spaced relationship to the mouth of the container, means for displacing air fromv the upper end of the container, a unit actuated by a combustible 'mixture 30 for moving said container and sealing head relative toeach other toseal the closure.on the container, means for. supplying the combustible gas ,to said unit, means for igniting the combustible gas, and control means vactuated by movement of the container by said conveyer into a position beneath said sealing head ior progressively actuating said means for supplying xombustible gas and said igniting means.

23. Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the control means includes a control member engaged by the containermoved into sealing position. f

24. Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said means forsupplying the combustible gas to said unit embodies a pump for supplying a predetermined charge, electric means for actuating i said pump, said means for igniting the ycom-4 bustible gas. in said unit embodying electric spark-forming meanasaid control means comprising an electric switch which controls a circuit to said electric pump-operating means and said spark-forming means.

25. Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein a cap-feeding unit is provided adjacent said sealing head for successively feeding caps into associa- A tion with said sealing head, a^nd means for operating said cap-feeding unit in response to operation of said unit for moving said container and sealing head relative to each other.

26. Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein al cap-feeding unit is provided adjacent said sealing head for successively feeding caps into position beneath said sealing head, said sealing head having yieldable meansvfor supporting a cap beneath the sealing head, said sealing head being downwardly movable,`and means for operating 'said cap-feeding unit in'response to operation of said unit for moving said sealing head.

` i WILLIAM D. BELL. 

